Call to tackle community vandals

The play surfaces were custom designed for the park

Parents are being urged to help catch the vandals who caused £5,000 of damage at a community park in West Yorkshire weeks after it opened.

The Green in Elizabeth Drive, Ferry Fryston was launched at the end of June as part of the Castleford Project regeneration being filmed by Channel 4.

Sections of play surfaces were ripped up, graffiti was scrawled on new play equipment and young trees were snapped.

Campaigners said local parents could help stop vandalism by reporting it.

Community group Friends of the Green worked with Wakefield Council and other local agencies to transform the green from a derelict strip of parkland into a safe public space.

Many of the local young people have told us how upset they are at what has happened Brendan McNamara Friends of the Green

Spokesman Brendan McNamara said the group was furious that a few vandals were ruining it for everyone else.

"The money spent repairing the damage would have been better used towards phase two of the project which has a teenage focus," he said.

"Over 2,000 young people live within a five minute walk of the green and the vast majority have been absolutely delighted to be able to play on this distinctive new park.

"Many of the local young people have told us how upset they are at what has happened."

The Castleford Project scheme was set up in 2003 with the aim of empowering local people to improve their town.

Residents identified several projects they believed would make Castleford a better place to live, including schemes to support neglected neighbourhoods, improve the safety of the community and provide better opportunities for young people.

The progress of the scheme is being filmed by Channel 4 for a documentary due to air next year.